M'lore: Four-lane Works of Kundapur-Suratkal, Nantoor-Talapady Stretches to Begin Soon Year

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (SP)

Mangalore, Aug 2: The long-awaited four-lane works of the national highway 17 stretch between Kundapur and Suratkal and Nantoor to Talapady on state border is expected to begin by February or March, 2009.

Preliminary requirements for the road widening work are already being met. The four-lane works of the highway involves two stretches, a 75 kms stretch between Kundapur and Suratkal and another 15 kms stretch from Nantoor to Talapady. The estimated cost of the works is Rs 616 crore and six companies have expressed their interest in the project. The highway division here is expected to complete the task of finalizing the contract within a couple of months.

The process of land acquisition for the highway has already begun for the Kundapur-Suratkal stretch. Assistant commissioners of Mangalore and Kundapur have been entrusted with the task of acquiring land wherever necessary, particularly in places where the highway passes through towns.

The works once started, will be given 30 months time to complete. The company, to which the contract will be entrusted, will be responsible to maintain the road for a term of 20 years from then and also to collect toll charges from the road users. Toll gates will be set up at three places on the highway for this purpose and it is expected that the companies will complete the work before the deadline as otherwise they will be losing toll charges. An alternative road will also be provided between Suratkal to Kundapur for an approximate distance of 20 kms till the road works are completed.

Flyovers will come up at Mahavir Circle, Pumpwell in the city besides a major bridge across river Netravati and three minor bridges. Bus bays, yards for parking of trucks, five under-passes etc., are all part of this highway four-lane project, to be supervised by the National Highways Authority, said Highway Projectr Director Prashanth N Gavasane.